The 2 events Americans most fear they can't afford are things that happen to everyone

Northwestern Mutual's 2015 Planning and Progress Study surveyed over 2,000 Americans in January to gauge how they feel about their money. One of the most interesting insights it uncovered is that more Americans fear unplanned financial emergencies and the inability to afford to retire comfortably more than anything else to do with their money: What's the big deal about that? Retiring and facing an unplanned financial emergency are things that happen to nearly everyone. They're events that can be foreseen and planned for, in the form of an emergency fund or a retirement account. If you keep reading beyond the two greatest fears, the third and fourth-greatest are incredibly similar to the leaders: "unplanned medical expenses due to an illness" and "outliving my retirement savings." Out of the top five fears, four are about emergencies and retirement. While the idea of being unable to afford your future is undoubtedly scary, there's another way to look at this information: It's good news! No one can predict the future — maybe you'll be laid off and have to retire earlier than planned, maybe your emergency will take the form of a lost job or a stock market dive — but it's pretty safe to assume that most people will, at some point, either have a financial emergency or bow out of the workforce. Or both. There's a safety in knowing that you have the power to neutralize your fears. You have the power to open a retirement account early and take advantage of compound interest; you have the power to eliminate your debt and put that money into savings instead; you have the power to build your emergency fund to cover months, if not years, of living expenses. If you know what scares you, you can face it head-on. SEE ALSO: A financial planner shares her favorite trick to make saving money easier Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: JAMES ALTUCHER: Why investing in a 401(k) is a complete waste of money

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Northwestern Mutual's 2015 Planning and Progress Study surveyed over 2,000 Americans in January to find out how they feel about their money, and found that the greatest financial fears people hold are that they won't be able to afford a comfortable retirement on their savings, or that they'll be blindsided by a financial emergency.

Flickr/Christian BenselerA client recently let me know that she and her husband had just booked an overseas trip for later this year. I told her I was very happy to hear that and it sounded like they had their personal financial priorities in order.

Chip Somodevilla/GettyLast year, a Northwestern Mutual study revealed that 85% of U.S. adults suffer from financial anxiety. And in the three-year period leading up to that study, more than one-third of Americans claimed they were growing increasingly worried about money matters.

Social Security, the long-embattled entitlement that lifts 15 million seniors out of poverty and is the sole source of income for nearly one in four recipients, turns 80 on Aug. 14. Its future remains tenuous as ever. Yet the program has never served a more vital and widespread need.

Social Security, the long-embattled entitlement that lifts 15 million seniors out of poverty and is the sole source of income for nearly one in four recipients, turns 80 on Aug. 14. Its future remains tenuous as ever. Yet the program has never served a more vital and widespread need.

Valeriy Belobeev/Strelka Institute/FlickrYour 20s are a time for living it up. But if you're the type who tends to get a little too reckless when it comes to spending money, you'd be wise to establish some simple ground rules now. No doubt you'll thank yourself later.

Rules of thumb may come in handy for those who are just beginning their financial planning. Youngsters who have just started their career may get some direction on where and how to make a beginning. For those who are in the middle of their career and don't yet have a proper plan in place, thumb rules can also be helpful. But remember, they only provide a general direction and may not necessarily give you the exact picture. First rule first The very first rule of personal finance says: 'Pay yourself first'.

Let's face it, men and women are not the same. They're built differently, think differently, and even save differently. And it should be no surprise that throughout their lives, women experience unique financial situations compared to their male counterparts.